City Beach will open May 26th & Parking Will Remain Free to City and Town residents with Seasonal Permit

(PLATTSBURGH - Monday May 8th 2023) - On Friday May 26th, the City will officially open Plattsburgh City Beach to the public. City employees have been working hard over the spring to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the summer weather. Lifeguards will be on duty during open beach hours (10AM-6PM, 7 days a week). 

 

2023 Beach Pass Guidelines

Residents of the City of Plattsburgh and Town of Plattsburgh may park for free at the beach by obtaining a beach parking permit via the City’s online permit portal system.

 

Starting Tuesday May 16th, beach parking permits can be obtained online by visiting https://plattsburgh.thepermitportal.com/. Residents of the City or Town of Plattsburgh must provide valid proof of residency along with their permit application to obtain their free beach permit.  Proof of residency must be in the form of:

 

  1. A signed lease in the applicant’s name for an address within either the City or the Town; or
  2. A utility bill in the applicant’s name dated within the last three (3) months at an address within either the City or the Town.     
  3.  

A maximum of two free parking permits for City and Town residents will be issued per household.  Nonresidents can obtain a seasonal beach permit via the same online permit portal for a cost of $60. Vehicles can also park at the beach for a flat $12 daily fee.  Payment of the daily fee can be made at one of the beach’s four parking kiosks or via the ParkMobile app using zone #72007.

 

No physical permits will be issued and those who have received email confirmation via the permit portal that their 2023 beach permits have been approved do not need to display a physical permit on or within their vehicle.  The City’s parking enforcement officers will use license plates to validate that a permit has been issued for that vehicle or that the daily fee has been paid. Access to the beach grounds remains free for all but those parking in the beach lot must either pay the daily fee, purchase a seasonal permit, or submit proof of residency sufficient to qualify for a free seasonal permit.

 

“Last year we considered the idea of adding parking fees for all beach users including City and Town residents. Historically, City and Town of Plattsburgh residents haven’t paid a parking fee for beach entry. At this time we feel the right thing to do is continue free entry for all residents of the Greater Plattsburgh region,” commented Plattsburgh Mayor, Christopher Rosenquest. 

 

Beach Improvements

The Cabana Beach Bar will again be open for business and is celebrating its 12th season at the City’s beach! Multiple restroom facilities are also open for public use.

 

Public Works staff are working on converting the wooden boardwalk to a paved boardwalk on the northern portion of the beach by the bath house. Public Works staff have finished cutting trails through the wooded area on the western portion of the property. After the rainy season, the trails will be finished with wood chips.

 

2023 Summer Events at the Beach

 

The beach will host many family friendly and fun events this summer. On Sunday May 28th, the first annual Lake City Running Festival will kick off the beach opening. This festival offers a half marathon, relay, 10K and 5K race. For more information visit https://www.lakecityrunningfestival.com/.

 

On Saturday July 8th the beach will host one of Plattsburgh's biggest celebrations of the year: the annual Mayor’s Cup Regatta and Festival! Organized by the Sunrise Rotary of Plattsburgh, this year’s festival will feature a sailing regatta, cornhole tournament, kayak paddle tour, kids games and activities, food trucks, live music and much more! The event will conclude with a free concert on the Plattsburgh City Beach Stage featuring Hayley and the Water playing Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors. For more information visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events.

 

On Saturday July 22nd and Sunday July 23rd the East Coast Watercross Tournament will be held on the south end of the beach. During this two day event, some of the very best Personal Watercraft Athletes will be competing in Closed Course and Freestyle events to try and earn the right to wear the coveted #1 plate at the World Finals!

 

Accessible Wheelchairs and Mobility Mats

 

Thanks to a generous gift from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Plattsburgh, The City of Plattsburgh will be receiving two beach mobility mats. These mats make it easier to walk across the soft sand on the beach. Along with the gift of two beach wheelchairs donated by Sunrise Rotary last summer, the City Beach has made steps to improve its accessibility to residents and visitors. 

 

Crete Demolition Update

 

Demolition of the Crete Memorial Civic Center is ongoing.  It is anticipated that the main structure will be brought down prior to the beach’s opening on Memorial Day weekend.  Removal of debris and final restoration of the site will overlap with the beach season and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

 

All information about the City Beach, obtaining beach permits and the parking kiosk systems can be found on the City’s website at www.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/plattsburghcitybeach.

 

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